fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
|
posted June 20, 2011 08:25 PM
well?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/citylink/sfl-auto-erotica-its-time-to-ban-the-motorcycle-20110613,0,4414821.story
Auto Erotica: It's time to ban the motorcycle
There, I said it. It needed to be said.
by Hugh Curran
11:00 a.m. EDT, June 13, 2011
What if I were to tell you that the fatality rate for those of us who drive a car or truck is 14 out of every 100,000 drivers? That’s a distressing statistic but it’s far below what it once was.
Now, what if I were to tell you that there’s a vehicle on the road today that increases your chances of being killed while driving it by more than 500 percent, producing an average of 72 fatalities for every 100,000 users?
That vehicle would represent a pretty silly and dangerous way to get around, don’t you think? But wait — there’s more. What if this vehicle produced 11 percent of all driving fatalities, effectively erasing gains made from years of declining motor-vehicle deaths? Would you want to drive that vehicle? Would you want your loved ones to drive it?
Surprisingly, registrations for this vehicle increased by more than 63 percent from 1997 to 2005, with the fatalities that resulted rising at a disproportionately high rate.
Add to all that the fact that this vehicle can emit 10 to 20 times the quantity of nitrogen oxide than standard automobiles because so many of these vehicles don’t require a catalytic converter. In some states, they don’t even require insurance.
This deathtrap, of course, is the motorcycle, and it’s time for the grownups to take a stand and say enough is enough.
The above statistics come from a U.S. Department of Transportation study released in October 2007 entitled, “Action Plan To Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities.” Ironically, the welcome page is from then-U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, who talks about breaking her collarbone while riding one.
I’m not a motorcyclist. What, then, gives me the right to call for the end of what many millions of Americans love to do? Well, first, there is the emotional factor. A friend’s older brother — only in his early 20s — was killed in a head-on collision. Another friend’s father shattered his leg going around a curve. A few weeks ago, a friend was hit by a car and suffered a puncturedlung and a partially collapsed lung, two shattered vertebra, a broken scapula and clavicle, fivebroken ribs — some in multiple places — and has lost feeling in his lower back and left leg. He’s 23.
Then, there’s the economic impact that motorcycle crashes have on you and me. The cost to us all in terms of increased health-insurance costs — if not direct taxpayer costs — to cover those people injured in and by motorcycle accidents who can’t afford to pay. The increased cost of auto insurance from damage inflicted and received, not to mention untold billions in insurance payouts to motorcycle drivers. The court time taken up by accidents involving motorcycle drivers. The cost of accident-scene public services such as police and fire.
It’s good news that motorcycle fatalities dropped 24 percent in Florida in 2009, and yet, the Florida Department of Transportation estimates Floridians will still have to pay $190 million to cover unpaid costs associated with motorcycle crashes this year alone, as reported by WFTV News in Orlando.
Look at the above statistics again. If a certain model of car produced that kind of horrendous increase in deaths — 72 fatalities per 100,000 compared to the car and truck norm of 14 per 100,000 — the public would demand an instant halt to the production and sale of that flawed vehicle.
Driving is not a right — it’s a privilege, granted by us, the American people, to those deemed responsible enough to exercise that privilege. We are doing a disservice to our fellow Americans when we indulge their interests in an inherently unsafe vehicle. Maybe there was a time in the past when cars and trucks drove slowly enough or were small enough to allow the luxury of a vehicle that has no seat belt, no door or hood or metal around it. But no more.
Beyond the actual costs to taxpayers is the realization that we’re losing more than 4,300 motorcycle drivers a year nationally who would have been far more likely to survive with airbags and crumple zones around them.
And I won’t even mention the obvious stupidity of not legally requiring — or wanting — the wearing of helmets.
Perhaps it’s time for those people who have lost a loved one or friend in a motorcycle accident to stand up and ask that, at the very least, these vehicles be restricted to off-road areas and tracks. Friends try to keep friends from engaging in needless risks, and that’s what motorcycles are, even when operated by well-trained, responsible drivers.
Contact Hugh Curran at kanga573@aol.com.
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
   
|
zixxer14
Pro
Damn that was Quick
Posts: 1233
|
posted June 20, 2011 08:52 PM
I'll bet the asshole is an anti-gunner too. Fuck you Hugh, I hope you die a fiery death in a Pinto!
|
BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
|
posted June 21, 2011 12:02 AM
Unfortunately there's always going to be a Hugh making a crusade out of something. It'll be horse riding next, go and look at those statistics. Better still - get a life and leave us alone.
____________
Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
|
Shogun
Expert Class
Posts: 274
|
posted June 21, 2011 04:42 AM
"I'm not a motorcyclist."....we could have guessed that one Hugh.
Hugh should crunch some numbers on how much safer motorcycling could be if motorists were required to actually have some skills and intelligence before they get behind the wheel.
____________
06 ZX14 - Arata exhaust, PC III, McIntosh Ext swingarm, Vortex lowering links, Racetech rear shock, Marc wheels, To be continued...
|
nabrxx
Needs a job
Posts: 2853
|
posted June 21, 2011 05:19 AM
Let's hope he doesn't organize. Motorcycling could end up as speed bump on the road to a sanitzed, no risk existence. Maybe they will regulate it first. No riding during rush hour. No riding on interstate highways. Till then...enjoy... 
____________
What we don't understand, we can
make mean anything...
src="http://www.bikeland.org/board/i
mages/smilies/smile.gif" border=0>
|
IMFASTTOO
Zone Head
Posts: 567
|
posted June 21, 2011 06:06 AM
THE STUNT RIDERS are causing all the problems with the police in our area just a bunch of LOOK AT ME idiots they call themselves the LEDGENDS {in their own minds } NOW the cops are giving all the bikers a hard time because of this handful of idiots
|
1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
|
posted June 21, 2011 06:15 AM
i think its time for people like me to make people like hugh eat shit and then pass legislation for them no never be able to breed .. they are too stupid to waste my air ..
____________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
|
WARBIRD
Needs a job
Posts: 2739
|
posted June 21, 2011 09:47 AM
quote:
Unfortunately there's always going to be a Hugh making a crusade out of something. It'll be horse riding next, go and look at those statistics. Better still - get a life and leave us alone.
+1
.
____________
I'd Rather Be Roadracing.
|
frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted June 21, 2011 10:48 AM
From a purely pragmatic POV, the guy has a very real point. But he's missing the aspect of living and freedom. There are TONS of unnecessary activities that result in deaths. Rockclimbing, sport shooting, horse riding, swimming. Should we ban all of those?
As to his point on catalytic converters... I'm sure it differs state to state but I suspect most DO require a stock or DOT approved exhaust system, but of course so many of us have systems that are technically labeled offroad use only. If that's a concern then they need to start enforcing the existing law (I won't like it, but frankly I don't really care if I lose 3hp... I got plenty left). Or aftermarket manufacturers need to start building performance pipes that include a catalytic converter. But... I believe the converter is all about hydrocarbons, not nitrous oxides, no? And if the extra pollution caused by bikes isn't allowed, then it isn't allowed offroad (as he is proposing) either, or jeeps, or for that matter ANY vehicle that is being driven that doesn't HAVE to be driven. Kind of an endless, and stupid, argument.
|
stcalder
Novice Class
Posts: 32
|
posted June 21, 2011 03:55 PM
A friend’s older brother — only in his early 20s — was killed in a head-on collision. Another friend’s father shattered his leg going around a curve. A few weeks ago, a friend was hit by a car and suffered a puncturedlung and a partially collapsed lung, two shattered vertebra, a broken scapula and clavicle, fivebroken ribs — some in multiple places — and has lost feeling in his lower back and left leg. He’s 23.
Didn't he realize that all but one invovled a car.
____________
lowered 1.5 in rear 3/4 in front w/strap. PCIII. Brocks TI sidewinder. roaring toys ext. set all the way back Muzzy fan. shiftlight by boostbysmith.
|
CrotchRocket
Moderator
Bracket Racing with Betsy
Posts: 8038
|
posted June 21, 2011 03:58 PM
Gotta love bean counters...
____________
Jason Miller StreetBike Seminars
*****DragRacers do it better, because they dont cut Corners*****
|
eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
|
posted June 21, 2011 05:21 PM
Surely tobacco causes more fatalities and health cost than motorcycles...
____________
Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
|
BrucerZX14
Expert Class
Posts: 373
|
posted June 21, 2011 07:19 PM
 Edited By: BrucerZX14 on 22 Jun 2011 03:19
Hey Hugh...how 'bout instead of telling us it's dangerous and expensive on the public if we're involved in an accident we enact laws that:
1. If you hit a motorcyclists and injure them (cage drivers fault), you are charged with attempted vehicular manslaughter with no bargaining allowed.
2. If you hit a motorcyclist and kill them (cage drivers fault), you are charged with vehicular manslaughter with no bargaining allowed.
Bet the motorcycle accidents caused by cages would drop tremendously. Maybe then the "public" will wake up and watch for bikes.
|
jannypan
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
|
posted June 23, 2011 06:19 PM
i think its time for people like me to make people like hugh eat shit and then pass legislation for them no never be able to breed .. they are too stupid to waste my air .. Tera Gold Cheap
Buy Runescape Gold
Tera Items
|
LAB3
Needs a job
Posts: 2977
|
posted June 23, 2011 06:26 PM
Is this guy related to Joan Claybrook?????????? (I think) she called them Murdercycles some time back. I hate reading where Do Gooders "Think" they are helping us......from ourselves.
It's My Life And I'll Do What I Want :-) old R&R song.
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC